Chapter XXXIMisconduct of Naval and Military Personnel
During Amphibious Landing Operations

Section 1. Pilfering on Board Ship

During the passage to the combat zone in past Amphibious
Operations there have been many cases of theft and pilfering
of both personal gear and government property on vessels
of this Force.

Commanding Officers can prevent misconduct of this character
by Naval Personnel by the issue of proper ship's regulations,
the stationing of sentries, establishment of
ship patrols and the maintenance of a proper state of
discipline on their ships.

The Type Troop Regulations for the Government of Troops
aboard Transports of Amphibious Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet,
December 1943 Edition, contains instructions in Chapter II
regarding the establishment of a ship's guard by the Commanding
Officer of Troops which should prevent pilfering
by the embarked troops.

Section 2. Misconduct of Landing Boats Crews and Beach Parties

Nearly every report of Amphibious Landing Operations mentions
instances of boats crews abandoning their boats during the
Landing Operations and either joining the troops or engaging
in looting on the beach.

This can be prevented by the maintenance of a proper state
of discipline by the boat officers and by careful instruction
of the boats crews regarding the seriousness of the matter.

One method of preventing this misconduct is to require boats
crews to wear their distinctive Naval uniform of dungarees
and a helmet painted blue. They should never be permitted
to wear Army coveralls or any part of the Army uniform while
in the boats. The blue dungaree uniform also is a safety
measure for the crew as it blends in with the color of the
landing boat and makes the crew less conspicuous.

There have been many cases of the Beach Parties leaving the
vicinity of their beaches during combat operations and engaging
in looting. The beach parties should be required to

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wear helmets painted blue and have other distinctive marks
which would distinguish them from the troops.
(See Chapter XII.)

Section 3. Visiting Parties and Straggling

Visiting parties of either officers, enlisted men or civilians
will not be permitted except for the following:

Members of the Landing Forces, Defense Forces, or Garrison
Forces and when ordered ashore by their responsible commanders.

Beach Parties.

Regularly organized working parties, in charge of competent
officers, and carrying credentials signed by
executive officers.

Official observers and press correspondents, when so
permitted under rules to be established. All such
must carry official stamped passes signed by Commanding
Officers (Executive) of ships to which attached.

Members of the staffs of Commanders of task Forces,
Task Groups, or Transport Division Commanders, or the
Commanding General of Expeditionary Troops, when so
directed for particular purposes and periods of time.
(All such must carry official stamped passes, signed
by the commanders of the units concerned, or by commanding
officers (executives) of ship on which embarked).

Troop commanders on shore must establish military police
and straggler lines in rear of landing beaches to enforce
the order against visiting, and straggling which results in
pilfering and looting. Officers and enlisted men will be
arrested and, if from ships, returned to their ships under
guard and a report made against. Responsible commanders
are expected to take disciplinary action for punishment of
straggling and looting.

Section 4. Pilfering and Looting on Shore

In the past Naval crews and troops have indulged in the iniquitous
practice of removing valuables, articles of clothing
and personal effects from the bodies of both friendly and
enemy dead. Acts of this type are not to be condoned under
any circumstances and severe disciplinary action will be
promptly instituted against any individual committing such acts.

Section 5. Officer Responsible for Enforcement of This Chapter of the Transport Doctrine

The following Group, Division and Unit commanders are

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particularly responsible for enforcing the provisions of
this chapter.

Transport Group and Division Commanders, acting through
Beachmasters, Boat Group Commanders, and Commanding
Officers of ships and LCTs.

Unit Commanders of combatant vessels, particularly of
small vessels which may operate in lagoons.

Commanders of Tractor and Defense Groups and Units,
acting through Commanding Officers of LSTs.

Naval Commanders of Garrison Groups, acting through
Commanders of Naval Units on XAPs and XAKs.

Information has been received that members of the armed
forces and the Merchant Marine have brought war trophies
which are purported to be Japanese Skulls into the United
States, such a practice, in addition to being barbarous,
violates the obligation of rendering enemy dead a decent
burial and invites reprisals in kind.

Commanding Officers will institute a program of indoctrination
bringing forcibly to the attention of the personnel
under their command the importance of prevention of straggling,
pilfering and looting.